The House will be aware that in May 1998 the German Government suspended all shipments of spent fuel from Germany to both Sellafield and La Hague in France following the discovery that the outsides of the Castor containers in which the fuel was transported were contaminated. As I understand it, shipments have not resumed since. However, I understand that BNFL has recently been granted a permit by the German authorities for the transportation of spent nuclear fuel from a German nuclear power plant to Sellafield for reprocessing.
I am deeply concerned by this development and I am having inquiries made through diplomatic channels for further information on the matter. I will make a decision on the appropriate action to be undertaken when I receive the results of my inquiries. The Irish Government remains totally opposed to the reprocessing activities at Sellafield and I will continue to press the UK Government for a cessation of such activities at the plant.